Card controlled selective rotary printing machine



June 6, 1967 cs. RITZERFELD CARD CONTROLLED SELECTIVE ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1964 Inventor:

June 6,1967 G. RITZERFELD I 3,

CARD CONTROLLED SELECTIVE ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet Inventor:

June 6, 1967 .G. RITZERF ELD 3,

CARD CONTROLLED SELECTIVE ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5- ln ventor:

Jlme 1967 G. RITZERFELD 3,323,449

CARD CONTROLLED SELECTIVE ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 1, 1964 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 U) E" L t; -a a Inventor.-

United States Patent 3,323,449 CARD CONTROLLED SELECTIVE ROTARY PRINTING MACHINE Gerhard Ritzerteld, Frangensbad'erstrasse 21, Beriin-Brunewald, Germany Filed Dec. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 415,165 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 4, 1963,

Claims. (Ci. 101-91) The present invention relates to a card controlled selective printing machine, and more particularly to a rotary printing or duplicating machine in which the printing roller and the counterpressure roller are operated by electromagnetic means to assume a printing position only when desired and selected sections of a printing form pass the printing line between the printing roller and the counterpressure roller.

A machine of this type is, for example, disclosed in the US. Patent 3,077,832.

In accordance with one known construction, the counterpressure roller is moved to and from a printing position by an electromagnetic moving means, while in another known construction, the printing roller is composed of a plurality of peripheral printing segments which are individually advanced by an electromagnetic moving means to assume positions in which a printing form thereon is placed in contact with a copy sheet located between the printing roller and the counterpressure roller.

Several kinds of control means are known for causing the printing means to assume the printing position only when a selected peripheral printing section of the printing roller and of the printing form pass through the printing line. Selective printing machines according to the prior art accomplish the selection by the operation of manually operated key switches which are respectively correlated with the desired printing sections. A plurality of contacts arranged in a circle are respectively correlated with the printing sections, and are engaged by a contact arm when the respective printing section passes through the printing line. Correlated key switches and contacts are connected to each other and to the electromagnetic moving means so that the same is actuated and places the printing means in a printing position whenever the contact arm engages a contact whose correlated key switch was previously closed during the selection by the operator.

Since a selection of the desired printing sections by the operator is required for selective printing machines according to the prior art, the selection is subject to human error, and the circuit is necessarily complicated and expensive.

It is one object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage of selective printing machines, and to provide a selective printing machine which has an extremely simple electric circuit, and which can be set to print selected printing sections of a printing form without the necessity of operating selector keys.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selective printing machine which prints selected and desired printing sections in accordance with a program represented by a punched card.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary contact device establishing electrical connections at selected time intervals determined by cutouts in a program card.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a selective printing machine which permits the selection of desired printing sections for printing. One embodiment of the invention comprises printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, and electric moving means for operating one of the rollers between an inoperative condition and a printing position cooperating with the other roller. The printing roller has a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections which successively pass through the printing line. A printing form is mounted on the printing roller and has text sections respectively located on the peripheral printing surface sections of the surface of the printing roller so that a copy sheet between the printing roller and the counterpressure roller receives an imprint of the respective text section of the printing form when the printing surface section of the printing roller passes through the printing line,

The machine further comprises a first member which is conductive at least along a circular conductive path, preferably in the form of a substantially circular contact; a second member having a sensing contact means cooperating with the conductive path; means for connecting one of said members for synchronous rotation with the printing roller; holding means for holding an insulating program card on the first member between the first and second members; and circuit means connecting the conductive path, the sensing contact means, and the electric moving means.

The arrangement is such that the sensing contact means is located opposite a contact section of the conductive path whenever a printing section of the printing roller, or a corresponding text section of a printing form, passes through the printing line. The program card has cutouts made therein which are disposed in selected positions on the circular path so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing section. The electric moving means is only actuated when the sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing section passes the printing line. The cutouts or punched holes of the program card are located along a circular line which matches the conductive circular path, or corresponding circular contact.

The term circular contact as used in the present application is intended to include contacts which are of circular configuration, but which have interruptions so that the circular contact is not actually a ring.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first member, which has a circular contact, is rotated about the center of the circular contact, and the sensing contact means is a spring-biassed roller mounted on a stationary member for turning movement and rolling on the insulating program card, except where cutouts in the same permit the roller to directly engage the circular contact. The rotary member having the circular contact is advantageously mounted on the shaft of the printing roller to rotate about means, and is connected by a transmission to the printing roller so that the contact arm rotates in synchronism with the printing roller. The insulating program card is fixed to the stationary contact member and has cutouts in selected positions exposing contact sections of the circular contact. When the rotary arm moves the sensing contact means along a circular path, the sensing contact means moves over the insulating program card, except when passing a cutout or punched hole in the same where the sensing contact means directly engages the circular contact of the stationary contact member.

In both embodiments of the invention, the program card is held by holding means on the member which has the circular contact, irrespective of whether such member is rotated or is stationary to cooperate with the rotary contact arm.

In the embodiment in which the rotary member carries the circular contact, it is advantageous to provide two electrically connected circular contacts on both sides of the rotary member. The program card is located on one side so that the cutouts therein are located on the circular contact. The contact on the other side is slidingly engaged by a stationary slide contact which establishes the connection with the other parts of the electric circuit, for example with the electric moving means, which is preferably an electromagnet.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a contact device in accordance with the invention, with parts broken 01f for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view of the contact device shown in FIG. -1;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a program card according to the present invention;

FIG, 4 is a side view illustrating a selective printing machine in which the contact device of FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided, one side wall being omitted for the sake of clarity, and parts-of the contact device being shown broken off; and

FIG. 5 is partly a fragmentary side view, partially in section, and partly an electric diagram, illustrating another selective printing machine provided with a contact device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 4, the selective printing machine is basically of the type disclosed in the US. Patent 3,077,832 so that well known constructive features will not be discussed in detail.

A printing roller is carried by a shaft 3 which is rotated by a motor, not shown, in the direction of the arrow A.-A printing form 16 is held by suitable holding means on the peripheral surface of printing roller 15. The printing form may be a hectographic master sheet, and has a plurality of lines or test sections which are located circumferentially adjacent on the surface of printing form 15. Consequently, a printing surface section of the peripheral surface of printing roller 15 is located under each text section of the printing form.

A counterpressure roller 22 is mounted on a shaft 23 supported by a pair of bell crank levers 20 which are rockable about a stationary shaft 21 mounted in the side walls of the machine. A pivot 19 connects the armature 18 of an electromagnetic moving means 17 to bell crank lever 20. A bracket on the frame of the machine supports the coil portion of the electric moving means 17, which is advantageously an electromagnet.

When electromagnet 17 is energized, the armature 18 is attracted, and counterpressure roller 22 is moved against 7 the action of spring 26 from the illustrated inoperative position to a printing position pressed against the printing roller, or more particularly against a copy sheet 24 located between counterpressure roller 22 and the printing form 16'on printing roller 15.

Transporting roller means 25 are provided for transporting a copy sheet 24 to the printing line between the printing roller 15 and the counterpressure roller 22, and the copy sheet is moistened by a moistener 24a, and held by a springy holding means 24b when not transported by the cooperating counterpressure roller and printing roller. A stripper 240 is provided for removing the copy sheet from the printing form.

The successive text sections of the printing form, and the correlated printing surface sections of the peripheral surface of the printing roller successively pass the printing line. Whenever a desired and selected section of the printing form, and the corresponding printing section of the printing roller passes the printing line, electromagnetic means 17 is energized in a manner to be described hereinafter, and moves counterpressure roller 22 to the printing position so that the respective text section of the printing form is printed on a copy sheet. When the next following text section passes the printing line, electromagnetic means 17 may be de-energized, in which event counterpressure roller 22 is returned by spring 26 to the illustrated inoperative position, so that the respective section of the printing form and of the printing roller passes the printing line without engaging the copy sheet which is held stationarily by the holding means 24b. In this manner, selected sections of the printing form are printed adjacent each other, as is known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now also to FIGS. 1 and 2, shaft 3 of printing roller 15 carries a member 2 rotating therewith and having on opposite sides two interconnected substantially circular contacts 4. The main body of plate 2 may be made of an insulating material. A casing 6 has an opening for shaft 3 and forms a cavity in which contact plate 2 is located. The cavity is closed by a cover 8 which is secured by screws to the casing 6. Casing 6 and cover 8 constitute a stationary support on which a sensing contact means in the form of a roller 9 is mounted for turning movement. A contact spring 7 is secured to cover 8 by screws and resiliently urges roller 9 into contact with the circular contact 4 on the confronting side of contact plate 2. Contact spring 7 has a projecting tongue to which a conductor may be soldered. The circular contact 4 on the other side of Contact plate 2, is slidingly engaged by a contact spring 5 which is secured by screws to casing 6. Contact plate 2 is of circular shape, and has a projectron 10 extending toward cover 8. At the center of contact 4, a recess in contact plate 2 receives a pin 11 which is slidably mounted in a bore of cover 8. A spring 11a is secured to cover 8, and urges pin 11 into recess 12.

A program card 1, also shown in FIG. 3 has a notch 13 and a central opening 12a. Cover 8 and the upper portion of casing 6 form a slot into which program card 1 is inserted until its notch 13 engages projection 10. The opening 121: is aligned with recess 12 so that pin 11 passes through opening 12a and centers the program card. Since projection 10 and notch 13 are eccentric, program card 1 rotates with contact plate 2, shaft 3 and printing roller 15.

It is evident that successive contact sections of contact 4 are respectively correlated with successive printing surface sections of the peripheral surface of printing roller 15 and with the text sections of the printing form 16 located on the same. Cut-outs or punched holes 14 are made along a circular line in program card 1 so that the cutouts 14 are located directly on the circular contact 4, exposing contact sections of the same to engagement "by the sensing con-tact roller 9.

Projection 10 and sensing contact roller 9 are radially aligned, and the positions of the cutouts 14 in relation to notch 10 are selected that sensing contact roller 9 engages a contact section of circular contact 4 through a cutout 14 of program card 1 when a correlated printing section of the printing roller 15 passes through the printing line between printing roller 15 and counterpressure roller 22.

When printing roller 15 is rotated, sensing contact roller 9 rolls on the program card and is insulated from contact 4 except where cutouts 14 are provided in the program card.

The cutouts 14 are made and spaced in accordance with a selected program for printing correlated sections of the printing form.

During rotation of the printing roller, sensing contact roller 9 will engage circular contact 4 through a cutout 14 whenever a desired and selected section of the printing form and of the printing roller passes the counterpressure roller. The connector tongues of contact springs 5 and 7 are respectively connected to a source of voltage and to one terminal of electromagnetic means 17 whose other terminal is also connected to the source of voltage. Consequently, a current will flow through electromagnetic means 17 whenever sensing contact roller 9 senses a cutout 14, and the energized electromagnetic means 17 will operate bell crank lever 20 to move counterpressure roller 22 to a printing position in which the copy sheet is pressed against the corresponding selected and desired section of desired printing form 16 while the respective printing section of the surface of printing roller 15 passes through the printing line.

It is also possible to connect contact springs 5 and 7 into a primary circuit including a relay closing a switch in a secondary circuit including another source of voltage and electromagnetic means 17.

When sensing contact roller again rolls out of a cutout onto the insulating program card, the circuit is interrupted, and spring 26 returns counterpressure roller 22 to the illustrated inoperative condition. The time during which electromagnetic means 17 is energized and counterpressure roller 22 is in the printing position, depends on the circumferential length of the cutouts 14, but when the impulse produced by a cutout is used for controlling relays, the time during which counterpressure roller 22 is in the printing position can be influenced by delaying the operation of the relays.

Any line of the printing form can be selected by punching a corresponding hole or cutout into program card 1.

In the modified embodiment of FIG. 5, a contact member 43 is mounted on a stationary support, not shown, and has a substantially circular contact 42. A shaft 31a passes through a central opening in contact member 43 and carries a contact arm 31 which has at the outer end thereof a sensing contact having the same radius as the circular contact 42. The sensing cont-act of the rotary arm 31 is adapted to slide along contact 42, but between the rotary arm and contact member 42, the program card 29 is placed so that the sensing contact at the end of contact arm 31 engages contact 42 only where a cutout 39 is rovided in the program card.

Program card 29 has a radial slot into which shaft 31a and a slide ring 31b passes during insertion of a program card. Contact 42 is interrupted in this region so that the sensing contact at the end of contact arm 31 will not engage contact 42 when passing over the radial slot of program card 29.

Shaft 31a carries a gear 36 meshing with another gear 35 which in turn meshes with a gear 34 secured to shaft 33 of a printing roller. Contact 40 which engages the circular contact at the back of contact plate 43 is connected to an electric moving means in the form of an electromagnetic means 30 whose other terminal is connected to a source of voltage. The other terminal of the source of voltage is connected to a slide contact spring 41 sliding on slide ring 31b and connected to the sensing contact at the end of contact arm 31. Consequently, whenever the sensing contact passes over a cutout 39 of program card 29, the circuit is closed, and electromagnetic means 30 is energized. The contact device shown in FIG. 4 could also be used in the printing machine illustrated in FIG. 4 for operating electromagnetic means 17, 'but in the embodiment of FIG. 5, a different type of selective printing machine is used. Printing roller 27 has a series of printing segments 28 each of which is movable in radial direction between a position in which the peripheral printing surface section thereof is flush with the remaining peripheral surface of printing roller 27, and an advanced position for deforming a printing form 32 to such an extent that it engages a copy sheet 37 transported through the printing line between counterpressure 6 roller 44 and printing roller 27. When the printing segments are retracted in the printing line, printing roller 27 is in an inoperative condition or position, and when selected printing segments are advanced in the printing line, printing roller 27 is in a printing condition or position.

Each printing segment 28 has rollers at opposite ends thereof which are engaged by an armature portion of electromagnetic means 30 when the same is energized and the armature is shifted outwardly in radial direction.

In this manner, a desired text section of printing form 32 is selected whenever electromagnetic means 30 is energized.

Since rotary contact arm 31 and printing roller 27 rotate in synchronism, the positions of cutouts 39 of the program card 29 can be selected in such a manner that Whenever a desired section of the printing form passes through the printing line, electromagnetic means 30 is energized and pushes the respective printing segment outward so that its printing surface section engages the corresponding text section of the printing form and produces an imprint on the copy sheet.

As explained above, any section of the printing form can be selected for printing by punching a cutout 39 into a corresponding portion of program card 29.

The operation of the segments of the printing roller by an electromagnetic means is described in greater detail in the US. Patent 3,083,638. The machine of the present invention is considerably simplified inasmuch as neither manually operated selector keys, nor photoelectric sensing means for sensing marks on the pirnting form are required.

A program card is punched out in accordance with any desired program and inserted into the contact device whereupon the selection is carried out automatically.

It will be understood that each of the elements de scribed above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of selective printing machines diflering from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a selective printing machine controlled by a punched card to print selected sections of a printing form, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a first member being conductive at least along a circular conductive path having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections; a second member having a sensing contact means cooperating with said conductive path, one of said members being turnable about the center of said circular path; means for connecting said one member for synchronous rotation with said printing roller so that said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and is adapted to engage each contact section when the correlated printing section passes through said printing line; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said first member between said first and second members, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions on said circular path so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing section; and circuit means connecting said conductive path, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

2. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said print ing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adja cent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a first member being conductive at least along a circular conductive path having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections, said first member being turnable about an axis located at the center of said circular path; a second member having a sensing contact means cooperating with said conductive path; means for connecting said first member for synchronous rotation with said printing roller so that said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and is adapted to engage each contact section when the correlated printing section passes through said printing line; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said first member between said first and second members, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions on said circular path so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said conductive path, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

3. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumfe-rentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a first member being conductive at least along a circular conductive path having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections; a second member having a sensing contact means cooperating with said circular conductive path and being turnable about the center of said circular conductive path; means for connecting said second member for synchronous rotation with said printing roller so that said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and is adapted to engage each contact section when the correlated printing section passes through said printing line; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said first member between said first and second members, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions on said circular path so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said conductive path, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

4. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a first member secured to said rotary printing roller for rotation therewith and being conductive at least along a circular path concentric with said printing roller, said circular conductive path having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections; a second member stationarily mounted opposite said first member and having a sensing contact means spaced from said center the same distance as said circular conductive path so as to engage the same so that during rotation of said prining roller with said first member, said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and engages each contact section when the correlated printing section passes through said printing line; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said first member between said first and second members, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions on said circular path so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said conductive path, said sensing contact means, and said eletric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

5. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a first member secured to said rotary printing roller for rotation therewith and being conductive at least along a circular path concentric with said printing roller, said circular conductive path having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections; a second member stationarily mounted opposite said first member and having a sensing contact means spaced from said center the same distance as said circular conductive path so as to engage the same so that during rotation of said printing roller with said first member, said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and engages each contact section when the correlated printing section passes through said printing line; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said first member between said first and second members, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions on said circular path so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section, said card having a peripheral notch and a central opening, and said holding means including a projecting member secured .to said first member and engaging said peripheral notch, and a pin mounted on said second member and passing through said central opening; and circuit means connecting said conductive path, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pin is movably mounted .in said second member, and including a spring secured to the second member and urging said pin toward said first member.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said counterpressure roller is movable to and from said printing position and is operated by said electric moving means.

8. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a circular insulating plate secured to said rotary printing roller for rotation therewith and having on opposite sides thereof substantially circular contacts concentric with said rotary printing roller and connected to each other, said circular contacts having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing surface sections; a stationary support on one side of said plate; sensing contact means mounted on said support and cooperating with the circular contact on said one side of said plate so that during rotation of said printing roller with said plate, said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and engages each contact section when the correlated printing section passes through the printing line; a stationary contact spring engaging said circular contact on the other side of said plate; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said one side of said plate so that said program card rotates with said plate, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions along a circular line concentric with and located opposite said contact on said one side of said plate so that each cutout is located on contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said circular contacts, said stationary contact spring, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

9. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing'means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a print ing position cooperating with the other roller; a circular insulating plate having an eccentric projection and being secured to said rotary printing roller for rotation therewith and having on opposite sides thereof substantially circular contacts concentric with said rotary printing roller and connected to each other, said circular contacts having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections; a stationary support on one side of said plate; sensing contact means mounted on said support and cooperating with the circular contact on said one side of said plate so that during rotation of said printing roller with said plate, said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and engages each contact section when the correlated printing surface section passes through the printing line; a stationary contact spring engaging said circular contact on the other side of said plate; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said one side of said plate so that said program card rotates with said plate, said program card having an eccentric opening engaged by said eccentric projection, and cutouts disposed in selected positions along a circular line concentric with and located opposite said contact on said one side of said plate so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said circular contacts, said stationary contact spring, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

10. A machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein said plate has a recess on said one side at the center of the respective circular contact; wherein said support has a central bore aligned with said recess; a pin movably mounted in said bore; and a spring on said support urging said pin into said recess, said program card having a central opening through which said pin passes for centering said program card.

11. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a circular insulating plate secured to said rotary printing roller for rotation therewith and having on opposite sides thereof substantially circular contacts concentric with said rotary printing roller and connected to each other, said circular contacts having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections; a stationary support on one side of said plate; sensing contact means mounted on said support and cooperating with the circular contact on said one side of said plate so that during rotation of said printing roller with said plate, said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and engages each contact section when the correlated printing surface section passes through the printing line, said sensing contact means in-v cluding a roller mounted on said support and adapted to roll on said circular contact on said one side of said plate, and a contact spring mounted on said support and urging said roller toward said plate; a stationary contact spring engaging said circular c-ontact on the other side of said plate; holding means for holding an insulating program card on said one side of said plate so that said program card rotates with said plate, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions along a circular line concentric with and located opposite said contact on said one side of said plate so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said circular contacts, said stationary contact springs, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

12. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative position and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a stationary member including a substantially circular contact having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing surface sections; a rotary arm having a sensing contact means adapted to engage said circular contact; transmission means connecting said rotary contact arm with said printing roller for synchronous rotation so that said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and is adapted to engage each contact section when the correlated printing surface section passes through said printing line; holding means on said stationary member for holding an insulating program card non-rotatably on said stationary member between the same and said rotary arm, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions along a circular line concentric with and having the same radius as said circular contact so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said circular contact, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

13. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; electric moving means for operating one of said rollers between an inoperative condition and a printing position cooperating with the other roller; a stationary member including a substantially circular contact having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing surface sections; a rotary arm having a sensing contact means adapted to engage said circular contact, said rotary arm having a slide ring connected with said sensing contact means; a slide contact sliding on said slide ring during rotation of said rotary arm; transmission means connecting said rotary arm with said printing roller for synchronous rotation so that said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and is adapted to engage each contact section when the correlated printing surface section passes through said printing line; holding means on said stationary member for holding an insulating program card non-rotatably on said stationary member between the same and said rotary arm, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions along a circular line concentric with and having the same radius as said circular contact so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said circular contact, said slide contact, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

14. In a selective printing machine, in combination, printing means including a rotary printing roller and a counterpressure roller defining a printing line, said printing roller having a plurality of printing segments forming a peripheral surface with circumferentially adjacent peripheral printing surface sections successively passing through said printing line; stationary electric moving means for moving selected printing segments between an inoperative position and a printing position in which the respective printing surface section of said peripheral surface cooperates with said counterpressure roller; a stationary member including a substantially circular contact having circumferentially adjacent contact sections respectively correlated with said printing sections; a rotary arm having a sensing contact means adapted to engage said circular contact; transmission means connecting said rotary arm with said printing roller for synchronous rotation so that said sensing contact means is successively located on said contact sections and is adapted to engage each contact section when the correlated printing section passes through said printing line; holding means on said stationary member for holding an insulating program card non-rotatably on said stationary member between the same and said rotary arm, said program card having cutouts disposed in selected positions along a circular line concentric with and having the same radius as said circular contact so that each cutout is located on a contact section correlated with a selected printing surface section; and circuit means connecting said circular contact, said sensing contact means, and said electric moving means so that the latter is actuated only when said sensing contact means passes a cutout and is electrically connected to a contact section whose correlated printing surface section passes the printing line.

15. A machine as set forth in claim 12 including a shaft carrying said contact arm and driven by said transmission means; and wherein said program card has a radial slot in which said shaft is located, said circular contact being interrupted in the region of said radial slot, and said printing roller being in an initial position when said sensing contact means is located in said radial slot and engages said plate directly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,055,031 9/1936 Hutchings 68-48 2,769,518 11/1956 Faulkner et al. l9720 2,953,087 9/1960 Ritzerfeld et a1. 101-1325 2,980,320 4/1961 Lapointe 23489 X 3,077,832 2/1963 Ritzerfeld et al. l0ll32.5

WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, PRINTING MEANS INCLUDING A ROTARY PRINTING ROLLER AND A COUNTERPRESSURE ROLLER DEFINING A PRINTING LINE, SAID PRINTING ROLLER HAVING A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ADJACENT PERIPHERAL PRINTING SURFACE SECTIONS SUCCESSIVELY PASSING THROUGH SAID PRINTING LINE; ELECTRIC MOVING MEANS FOR OPERATING ONE OF SAID ROLLERS BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND A PRINTING POSITION COOPERATING WITH THE OTHER ROLLER; A FIRST MEMBER BEING CONDUCTIVE AT LEAST ALONG A CIRCULAR CONDUCTIVE PATH HAVING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ADJACENT CONTACT SECTIONS RESPECTIVELY CORRELATED WITH SAID PRINTING SECTIONS; A SECOND MEMBER HAVING A SENSING CONTACT MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID CONDUCTIVE PATH, ONE OF SAID MEMBERS BEING TURNABLE ABOUT THE CENTER OF SAID CIRCULAR PATH; MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID ONE MEMBER FOR SYNCHRONOUS ROTATION WITH SAID PRINTING ROLLER SO THAT SAID SENSING CONTACT MEANS IS SUCCESSIVELY LOCATED ON SAID CONTACT SECTIONS AND IS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE EACH CONTACT SECTION WHEN THE CORRELATED PRINTING SECTION PASSES THROUGH SAID PRINTING LINE; HOLDING MEANS FOR HOLDING AN INSULATING PROGRAM CARD ON SAID FIRST MEMBER BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS, SAID PROGRAM CARD HAVING CUTOUTS DISPOSED IN SELECTED POSITIONS ON SAID CIRCULAR PATH SO THAT EACH CUTOUT IS LOCATED ON A CONTACT SECTION CORRELATED WITH A SELECTED PRINTING SECTION; AND CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID CONDUCTIVE PATH, SAID SENSING CONTACT MEANS, AND SAID ELECTRIC MOVING MEANS SO THAT THE LATTER IS ACTUATED ONLY WHEN SAID SENSING CONTACT MEANS PASSES A CUTOUT AND IS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO A CONTACT SECTION WHOSE CORRELATED PRINTING SURFACE SECTION PASSES THE PRINTING LINE. 